BRANTFORD, ONT. — Frontline Cable and Gas Services Inc., a Brantford-based excavation contractor, has been fined $110,000 in connection with a fatal workplace incident that occurred in Brampton in 2023.
According to an Ontario court bulletin, the tragedy took place on February 10, 2023, at the intersection of Campkin Street and Mill Street South.
The crew was on-site installing network cables, and five workers were preparing to operate a Ditch Witch JT9 Drilling Machine for directional drilling. During the setup, a hydraulic oil leak was noticed by a worker and a supervisor.
The supervisor began working on the leaking valve cylinder from the top of the machine, with assistance from a worker. The worker then offered to complete the repair, noting prior training in such maintenance.
The supervisor agreed and left to check on other workers. Meanwhile, the worker moved beneath the machine to continue the repairs. However, the equipment had not been properly blocked to prevent movement, as outlined in the operator’s manual.
The lack of appropriate safety precautions led to a fatal outcome.